Bethel College is located on...
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Bethel College is located on Chicago's west side. In the 1960s, as the neighborhood changed and white flight took its toll on the inner city, most thought that the church would have to close. Only a few members continued to drive in from their new homes in the suburbs to come to worship. Pastor Dave came with the idea that he would probably be the last pastor the congregation ever had. The week he arrived rioting broke out in the neighborhood. The situation looked bleak. His first Sunday, with the riots in full swing, many members refused to come in to the city for worship. In spite of the situation, Pastor Dave began to meet the people and try to make positive changes in the community. He and his sister Mary began to finance rehabilitation projects with their own money. People in the community responded and a few more people began to come to church. Because the church was starting to do something in the community, their words were starting to be taken more seriously. Over the years Bethel has continued to do ministry and service. The church building has been mortgaged several times over to do community service. The people have fixed up over a thousand units of housing. They run a school, adult day care, and dozens of other community ministries. It is a beacon of hope in a community that might have been left for someone else. On Sunday mornings the sanctuary is full to hear the word, and service and active faith are the things that made the difference.
-- Daubert
-- Daubert
